Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, issued the following statement on Wednesday about the death of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brandon J. Landrum, who was one of five soldiers killed Saturday by a roadside bomb in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. Landrum is survived by his parents, wife and children.“Words cannot express the debt of gratitude this nation owes Lt. Landrum,” said Cole. “Many of us will never understand the true price of freedom, but it is because of the bravery of those who wear the uniform that our country is safe and our freedom is secure. There is no greater sacrifice or demonstration of patriotism than risking one’s life to serve in combat.“We have lost a true American hero and loved Oklahoma son who will forever be missed and remembered by his family, friends and a grateful nation.”

Landrum was not with the 158 during the Iraq mission in 2006 that started the OklahomIraqis League. But he was an Oklahoma soldier, and he later spent a year in Iraq with the 158th FA in 2008. After receiving his commission, he went active duty. He was killed in Afghanistan this week. I won't further the party line that he died for freedom (his or ours) because I don't have to. He was one of us. We have all been in that position, and that's all that matters. I don't know what exists for us after the fade to black, but I hope that Landrum and the rest of our soldiers find peace.